On 6/1/06 13:49, in article ,
"Dave Poole" wrote:

Janet Baraclough wrote:

Incidentally, grapes would not be a worthwhile commercial crop on
half an acre in Cornwall, and the commercial viability of drying grapes
into raisins anywhere in the UK is remote.

Well, they are worth growing for wines ... but mainly in the much
drier east - especially Sussex and Kent where some very fine vintages
that rival the French are now produced. Devon has a few as do most
counties along the south coast where sunshine levels are highest, but
the quality isn't quite as good. Half an acre is nowhere near enough
in any case and there's a bit too much rainfall in Cornwall for the
production of really good wine grapes. As for raisins? Regardless of
the grapes not developing enough sugars, our costs and overheads
compared with Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel etc. make this totally
impractical.

When Edward Hyams bought this place in the 50s, it was with the idea of
growing grapes, which he had done in Kent. If anyone knew what he was about
it, was Hyams but that venture failed. OTOH, Sharpham is doing well with
its wine on the banks of the River Dart, not far from here but on a very
great deal more than half an acre.

--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)